This week’s government inquiry into raising the minimum social media age to 16 has centred on concerns about the impact of these platforms on youth mental health.

Critics of the bill argue that social media provides an irreplaceable avenue of support for vulnerable teens, particularly for their mental health. They contend that the bill will disproportionately harm the mental health of minority groups, and have suggested that unregulated social media is necessary to prevent suicide. This fear-driven narrative must be questioned.